Folding box



pm 22, im. M HYNDMAN 25,239,233

FOLDING BOX Filed April 4,y 1938 Patented Apr. 22, i941 nomine Box ivreaee rip/naman, st. Louis, Mo. Applicaties anni 4,1933, serial No. 199,748

l Claim.

This invention relates to folding boxes.

An object of the invention is to provide a folding box comprising a blank composed of a bottom and side and end panels in combination with novel connecting and attaching devices for connecting together the side and end panels at the corners of the box in a more effective and satisfactory manner than has heretofore been accomplished in folding boxes.

An additional object is to provide a folding box having novel connecting and attaching means at the corners for the side and end panels, in combination with means for utilizing apart of the attaching structure of the panels to brace and support the panels when they are extended upwardly from the bottom, and to avoid exposure of a part of the raw edges of the panels at the corners by utilizing a part of the connecting portions for the attainment of this effect and result.

Other objects and advantages should be apparent from the following description, reference being made to the annexed drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the blank from which my improved box is formed.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a blank after two of the panels have been folded preparatory for attachment thereto of the tWo remaining panels.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the blank after the adhesive material has been applied to the tabs and the tabs have been folded to position for attachment of the panels together.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view after the panels have been folded one upon the other and have been adhesively attached.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 4 after the extended tabs of two of the panels have been folded upon and adhesively attached to the remaining panels.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the box in open form after being assembled and attached together inthe manner illustrated in the preceding views of the drawing.

The blank used to make the box is composed of cardboard or material of similar characteristics, and has formed thereon two parallel score lines I and two parallel score lines 2 formed at right angles to the score lines I. The score lines I extend from edge to edge of the blank, and the score lines 2 terminate at their intersection with the score lines I. By this arrangement the score lines I define two end panels 3 and the score lines 2 define two side panels 4. The area 5 bordered by the score lines I and 2 constitutes the bottom of the box.

Tabs 6 are formed in integral connection with Cil the ends of the panels 4 beyond the score lines i by cuts'or slits 'I in continuation of the score lines 2, and by outs or slits 8 at right angles to the cuts or slits I and which may be parallel with the end portions of the scores I.

Scores 9 in continuation of the cuts or slits I extend to the edges of the panels 3 and, together with the cuts 8, form tabs I0 in integral connection with the ends of the panels 3. Inclined scores Il are formed in the end portions of the panels 3 and extend from intersection of the cuts 'I with the scores I to the edges of the panels 3, and the outer ends of the scores Il are spaced from the outer ends of the scores 9 a distance approximately equal to the width of the panels 4 and, together with the cuts 1 and scores 9, form defined triangular portions I2.

After the blank is thus formed, the panels 3 are folded inwardly along the scores I against the bottom 5. Next, the dened portions I2 of each panel 3 are folded inwardly toward each other along the scores Il to positions upon the outer surfaces of the panels 3, in which positions the tabs IG extend outwardly. The tabs 6 on the respective panels 4 are then folded inwardly toward each other along the scores i. proper time, an adhesive I3, such as glue, is applied to the exposed unfinished surfaces of the parts I2 and of the tabs lil. The adhesive that is applied to the parts I2 has a width equal only to the width of the tabs 6, so that the tabs 6 will completely cover the adhesive on the parts I2. However, since the'parts I2 diverge away from the ends of the tabs 6 along the scores II, the inner lower corners of the tabs remain unattached to the parts l2. Next, the panels i are folded inwardly toward each other along the scores 2 with sufficient pressure to hold the tabs I5 securely against the parts I2 long enough to obtain a strong adhesive attachment of the tabs 6 with the parts I2, as shown in Fig. 4. l

Thereafter, each pair of opposite tabs ID are folded toward each other and are pressed upon and against the outer surfaces of the respective panels l until a strong adhesive attachment is obtained. This completes the formation of the box in its folded form.

The box is opened preferably by raising the panels 3 which, because of their hinged connection with the panels 4, lift said panels 4 to the position shown in Fig. 6. The inner lower corner portions i4 of the tabs Ei extend close to the bottom 5 of the box and, by frictional contact therewith, tend to resist collapse or folding of the box without enough pressure to overcome the At the frictional resistance and bracing eiiect of the tabs 6. Thus, this box will be retained in its open position by the cooperation of the parts thereof, as shown and described. The tabs I D, integral with the panels 3 and attached to the panels 4, provide corners of double thickness of the Inaterial for the box when assembled and erected and, therefore, double the strength of the box and its resistance against tearing at the corners, which are the weakest points.

The construction may be varied within equivalent limits Without departure from the nature and principle of the invention.

I claim:

In a folding box comprising a blank including a bottom, two inwardly foldable side panels, and two inwardly foldable end panels each having triangular portions at the ends thereof formed by scores converging upwardly from the lower corners of said end panels at the ends of said side panels; tabs integrally hinged to the ends of said side panels covering the inner surfaces of the end parts of said triangular portions and extending across said scores and covering parts of said end panels below said scores and leaving parts of said triangular portions above said scores uncovered, said tabs having a length less than the width of said end panels, means attaching said tabs to the adjacent surfaces of said triangular portions covered thereby above said scores and leaving the remainder of said tabs below said scores unattached to said end panels and free for frictional engagement with said bottom wall to prevent inward folding of said side and end panels when the box is open, and tabs integrally hinged to the ends of said triangular portions and each having a length equal to the Width of the adjacent side panel, said last named tabs being attached to the outer sides of said side panels and leaving said end panels free to fold inwardly upon said bottom wall and said side panels to fold inwardly upon said triangular portions of said end panels and said last named tabs exposed.

MEADE HYNDMAN. 

